Hiker Dies on Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

LANCASTER, N.H. -- A hiker from Kennebunkport, ME,collapsed and died while descending the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail in Crawford’s Purchase Saturday night (October 12, 2013) around 9:30 p.m. Officials say that Dr. Robert Fernandez, 69 of Kennebunkport, ME, had been hiking alone on when he suffered from an unexpected medical condition and passed away on the trail. Resuscitation efforts were attempted but were unsuccessful.

According to initial reports Dr. Fernandez had been hiking down the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail alone when two other hikers came upon him. The hikers, identified as Trent Sanders of Anchorage, Alaska, and Ryan Johnson of Holland, MI, noticed that Dr. Fernandez was hiking alone and appeared to be tired, so decided to accompany him to make sure he made it out safely.

The trio made it to approximately one-half mile from the parking lot when Dr. Fernandez suddenly collapsed. Trent performed CPR on Dr. Fernandez, while Ryan ran the rest of the way to the parking area to call 911. Trent continued CPR efforts until members of Twin Mountain Fire and EMS arrived.

EMS personnel from Twin Mountain Fire and Rescue and a Littleton Paramedic were the first emergency personnel on scene and continued lifesaving efforts, but all efforts to revive failed. NH State Police, US Forest Service LEO, and NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers also responded and assisted in carrying Dr. Fernandez’s body the rest of the way to the parking area.